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submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[-] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago

Nope, can't be completely random you gotta pick words that has the same numbers of syllabuses is the right order

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

They should have the correct inflection as well. Banana doesn't do the same job as tambourine.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

True, good point!

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

*syllabi

also, the word is “syllable” not “syllabus” lol

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

Syllables

We're speaking English, not Greek.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

I already felt like a pedantic asshole for making two corrections at once, but oh well. In for a penny, in for a pound.

The “-us” and “-i” suffix are the masculine singular/plural suffix in Latin, not Greek

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This is true, but as it happens, the general conclusion (per the OED) is that syllabus isn't an authentic Latin word at all, it's a corruption or misreading of Greek sittybos as sillybus (spelling varies). So even though it's modelled after the Latin, it's already plural if the surmise is correct.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Damn. Out assholed again. Congratulations, you beat me at my own game!

(Legitimately didn’t know that, so thank you for the info!)

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

I used to run r/etymology, so digging deeper and being able to wrinkle my nose, furrow my brow, and out-pedantize a pedant is my specialty! And indeed, also learn something in the process.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Upvotes all around! Appreciate the corrections.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Now this is top tier pedantry, ya love to see it.

Edit: if you would've subtly but deliberately screwed up that idiom, this would be elevated to a true masterpiece

this post was submitted on 20 May 2025
253 points (94.7% liked)

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